The two soldiers trekked through the rocky desert. The sun beating down on them with every step they took following the trail the creature left behind. Ben led from the front, his feet heavy with determination while Curly lagged behind.

  ‘So how can we even kill it?’ Curly asked. ‘Assuming it is a super soldier like you said, wouldn’t they give that soldier bulletproof skin?’

  ‘Bullet resistant,’ Ben corrected. ‘Even if they figured out how to nanofiber mats under the skin without killing the person. We both know it can still be penetrated with a few well-placed shots.’

  ‘Ah yes, let’s go off blind faith and hope it all works out. I sure like our odds.’

  Ben rolled his eyes, having enough of Curly’s cynicism. ‘You had a choice to stay behind, Curly. If you want to give up, feel free to walk back to the village.’

  ‘And make myself look like a coward!?’ Curly scoffed, ‘I want to make myself better than… what’s his name? Behnam?’

  ‘Are you this casually racist or doubtful of our allies?’

  Curly paused for a moment to think about it. ‘Yeah, a bit. Well, I only distrust anyone who is part of the Afghan Army. Never seemed to like them.’

  ‘You need to cut it out. If we want to survive this, we have to work together.’

  ‘Nah, with all due respect. I prefer to have allies who I can rely on.’

  Ben swiftly turned around to face Curly. ‘What is your main job?’

  Curly raised a brow, unsure how to answer that question. ‘I’m an infantryman.’

  ‘We both are, idiot! But you are just a guy with a gun with no other set of skills besides the basics. Behnam can speak multiple languages, while you can only speak one.’

  ‘I know Spanish.’

  ‘?No, no lo haces!’ Ben responded. ‘You’re an idiot with a rifle, just like me and him. Minus the idiot part. You are nothing special! I trust his skills and prefer him to perform most tasks simply because he has additional training. I don’t care if you don’t like him. But you will trust him and you will give him the respect he deserves. They may not be a perfect ally, but they are still our ally. Is that clear?’

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  Curly bit his lip before nodding. ‘Yes, sir.’

  ‘Good!’ Ben turned back around to continue following the trail to where the target would be. Ben kept silent, refusing to speak or add anything else to the conversation. He wanted to avenge his fallen soldiers. Curly, on the other hand, was more fixated on survival. Two soldiers were capable of performing the task in front of them, even if it meant they had different priorities.

  But something itched away at Curly. He needed to ask the question. ‘Let’s be truthful. This is going to create a shit storm. We know what is attacking our convoys and killing our guys. Someone in the chain of command will need some answers to avoid all-out war with China.’

  Ben thought about what Curly said. While he thought it would be ridiculous for their higher ups to throw them after the bus besides covering the whole thing up. However, he recognised the worry in Curly’s voice. In any circumstance, Ben would ignore him and let him panic in silence. In the end, he recognised that he needed Curly to remove any second guesses or doubt he had in his mind.

  ‘I’ll be the scapegoat.’ Ben calmly replied like he rehearsed it. ‘I’ll make sure to take on whatever story they will have and take the blame when necessary. As a leader of this operation, it is my responsibility for how it turns out as well as the aftermath of the mission’s conclusion.’

  Curly smiled, relieved that he wouldn't be the one taking the heat once his nightmare was all over. ‘Thanks, I couldn’t ask for anything less.’

  ‘You don’t have to.’ Ben and Curly stopped at the entrance of a cave where the blood trail led them to. Both men raised their weapons as they walked up to it. On the cave floor were discarded equipment and captured weaponry. Left outside for anyone to grab.

  Curious, Ben kneeled down to pick up a blue flare stick. On it had the words “Angel Fire” written just below the warning label. Why leave all of this here? Why not stockpile it deeper in the cave besides at the entrance? Ben thought to himself.

  ‘What is that?’

  ‘A blue flare, haven’t heard of the company before.’ Ben replied before pocketing it alongside his other flares. ‘Ready?’

  Curly gave a nod before popping a flare and throwing it into the tunnel. They both head deeper into the cave system, their weapons at the ready. This time, they would be the ones to get the jump on their foe.